Friday, February 29, 2008
Update on my mom
I am writing this post as I sit in my mom's room at the hospital. She has this nifty computer that has internet and music and TV. She is sleeping right now. She told me a little bit about her surgery when I arrived this morning. Not only were there cysts around her nerve, but also around her spine. When they cut out the cysts, the 4th vertabrae slid out of place, so the surgeon put in two rods to hold the 3rd, 4th and 5th vertabrae in place. She looks pretty good considering the circumstances. When her doctor came in this morning, he said, "boy were you a mess!" And then proceeded to tell her all they had to do. She has a long way yo go. 5 months of no lifting or bending. She will start physical therapy later today. Her physical therapist's name is Raul. He's a big guy! I'd be scared if he were my phyiscal therapist!!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
What is the meaning of....FAMILY
What is the meaning of FAMILY? I don't know about the rest of you, but in my family, we have this family mission statement that basically says, in a nutshell, that we support each other, care of each other and look out for each other in every way possible. My parents always taught me and my brothers that your parents and siblings come first until you have a spouse and family of your own, who will then be first when it comes to family.
Last night, I received a phone call that my mom was in the hospital. She has had back problems for quite some time and it started to effect the way she walks, the amount of time she can sit, stand,etc. She has been in pain 99% of the time for several months. Last week, she went in for a MRI and yesterday went to get the results. Now here's the part that gets very unclear for me...she was given an epidural for the pain and the pain got worse, then was given more pain killers which made her sick. She also couldn't put any pressure on her legs. She was taken to the emergency room, then admitted into the hospital. I told my brother that if I was needed at home, to let me know and I would be there...though he didn't even have to tell me to come home, I was already preparing and packing. This morning, doctors decided that it would be best to do the back surgery that is needed to relieve my mom of the pain she has been in, so today my mom had surgery on her back. I'm not quite sure what they did...I do know that they compressed a nerve and also had to cut out cysts that had formed around the nerve. They did something to three vertabrae that involved three titanium screws and some type of bone graph around the vertabrae. The surgery went well and she is now in recovery. The only concern now is how to help her handle the pain. She has had some type of reaction to everything the doctors have given her, so I'm not sure what will happen with that. Last night I was a little nervous for the situation, and when I called a couple people to just get it off my chest, they blew it off like it was no big deal. Thankfully, a family of a current soccer player and two former students (yes, I've had three of their five children so far) lives just down the road and took me in at 11pm last night, fed me, nurtured me, the whole bit. The dad also gave me a priesthood blessing which immediately calmed me down. Let me put it this way...coming home was the right thing to do.
Today, I taught my classes then I left school at 12:15. My T.A.s were instrumental in helping me get everything prepared for a substitute and my drive home. I brought my laptop to school and my first period T.A.s put a couple music CDs together for the drive, while my 2nd period T.A.s looked up the weather for this weekend and next weekend, mapquested the hospital for me, and straightened up my classroom (they also saved half their bag of Reese's Pieces for me to eat on my way home!). From school, I drove to Provo to get my car serviced, then made the drive home. I was going on four hours of sleep and got a little more tired than usual. Thanks to several people who let me call and chat so I would stay awake, and a special thanks to my friend Sheldon, who stayed on the phone with me for the last two hours of the drive so I wouldn't fall asleep, I made it safely home and will head out to the hospital tomorrow morning.
I will be here for 10 days to take care of my mom when she comes home from the hospital, and then Kevin will fly in the weekend I leave and take over. The reason I didn't fly home was 1. too expensive for a last minute trip...and 2. with all the driving to and from the hospital as well as the different errands that will need to be run, I thought it be better to have my own wheels than rely on someone else's! The drive actually helped me unwind, release some stress and prepare myself for coming home. My family is all pulling their weight in one way or another to help my mom through this. She will be laid up for weeks and for the first 2-3 weeks she is home from the hospital, someone needs to be with her 24/7.
So here is the reason for my question at the beginning of this post...I had a few people actually question my decision to come home by saying that my brothers and sisters-in-law should handle it and not me because I am out of state...now I can understand if I were married with children, it would be a little difficult to drop everything and come home to help ASAP. I'd have to plan a little more before actually making the trip...but when I'm single with a job that allows me to take time off work when needed, why not come home and help?! Why not be here for my mom and relieve some of the stress that is being put on everyone else? What are these people thinking?! What are families for?!?!
Last night, I received a phone call that my mom was in the hospital. She has had back problems for quite some time and it started to effect the way she walks, the amount of time she can sit, stand,etc. She has been in pain 99% of the time for several months. Last week, she went in for a MRI and yesterday went to get the results. Now here's the part that gets very unclear for me...she was given an epidural for the pain and the pain got worse, then was given more pain killers which made her sick. She also couldn't put any pressure on her legs. She was taken to the emergency room, then admitted into the hospital. I told my brother that if I was needed at home, to let me know and I would be there...though he didn't even have to tell me to come home, I was already preparing and packing. This morning, doctors decided that it would be best to do the back surgery that is needed to relieve my mom of the pain she has been in, so today my mom had surgery on her back. I'm not quite sure what they did...I do know that they compressed a nerve and also had to cut out cysts that had formed around the nerve. They did something to three vertabrae that involved three titanium screws and some type of bone graph around the vertabrae. The surgery went well and she is now in recovery. The only concern now is how to help her handle the pain. She has had some type of reaction to everything the doctors have given her, so I'm not sure what will happen with that. Last night I was a little nervous for the situation, and when I called a couple people to just get it off my chest, they blew it off like it was no big deal. Thankfully, a family of a current soccer player and two former students (yes, I've had three of their five children so far) lives just down the road and took me in at 11pm last night, fed me, nurtured me, the whole bit. The dad also gave me a priesthood blessing which immediately calmed me down. Let me put it this way...coming home was the right thing to do.
Today, I taught my classes then I left school at 12:15. My T.A.s were instrumental in helping me get everything prepared for a substitute and my drive home. I brought my laptop to school and my first period T.A.s put a couple music CDs together for the drive, while my 2nd period T.A.s looked up the weather for this weekend and next weekend, mapquested the hospital for me, and straightened up my classroom (they also saved half their bag of Reese's Pieces for me to eat on my way home!). From school, I drove to Provo to get my car serviced, then made the drive home. I was going on four hours of sleep and got a little more tired than usual. Thanks to several people who let me call and chat so I would stay awake, and a special thanks to my friend Sheldon, who stayed on the phone with me for the last two hours of the drive so I wouldn't fall asleep, I made it safely home and will head out to the hospital tomorrow morning.
I will be here for 10 days to take care of my mom when she comes home from the hospital, and then Kevin will fly in the weekend I leave and take over. The reason I didn't fly home was 1. too expensive for a last minute trip...and 2. with all the driving to and from the hospital as well as the different errands that will need to be run, I thought it be better to have my own wheels than rely on someone else's! The drive actually helped me unwind, release some stress and prepare myself for coming home. My family is all pulling their weight in one way or another to help my mom through this. She will be laid up for weeks and for the first 2-3 weeks she is home from the hospital, someone needs to be with her 24/7.
So here is the reason for my question at the beginning of this post...I had a few people actually question my decision to come home by saying that my brothers and sisters-in-law should handle it and not me because I am out of state...now I can understand if I were married with children, it would be a little difficult to drop everything and come home to help ASAP. I'd have to plan a little more before actually making the trip...but when I'm single with a job that allows me to take time off work when needed, why not come home and help?! Why not be here for my mom and relieve some of the stress that is being put on everyone else? What are these people thinking?! What are families for?!?!
Monday, February 25, 2008
I had to try it!!!!
My friend C.C. did this and I thought it was kinda fun...so....why not give it a try?!
Friday, February 22, 2008
Freedom Assembly
Today, Lone Peak High School held its annual freedom assembly. The whole week is dedicated to celebrating freedom. Each class (sophomores, juniors and seniors) decorate a hallway that relates to the theme, which this year was "Symbols of Freedom," and all week there are activities for the kids. This is probably the best assembly of the year. And if you have never seen 2000 kids remain reverent and quiet for almost two hours, then you are missing out. Today, Stephen R. Covey spoke about the elements of freedom and urged the kids to teach the five principles he spoke of to their families and friends. He also talked about how it is our responsibility to uphold our liberties, because when we use freedom responsibly, we expand and maintain our freedoms. Mr. Covey is an amazing speaker. He held the attention of these kids for 30 minutes...no one was talking, cell phones were off...it was amazing. Then we heard from three students from LPHS who placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the Veterans of Foreign Wars essay contest. They each read their essays, which were centered on the topic of honoring our veterans. From there, the aunt and sister of a former LPHS student, William Newman, who was killed in Iraq last summer, spoke about what freedom meant to them. The most moving part of the assembly occurred after the tribute to our veterans. Our student council made a video montage of LPHS students and teachers giving reasons why they are proud to be an American. This went along with the song God Bless the USA (my ringback tone and my ring tone!--if you didn't know that, you haven't called me for a very long time!). When the chorus kicked in, the students began standing and singing, and soon, every person in that room was standing and singing the song. I don't cry very often, but this brought tears to my eyes. After the video montage, we witnessed a flag folding ceremony in honor of William Newman. The room was completely silent as three Korean War veterans carried out the flag folding ceremony and presented it to William's family. Even after the flag had been presented, the room remained completely silent, everyone standing with their hands over their hearts...remember...there were close to 2000 teenagers present.
I love freedom week at LPHS. It's important for our youth to understand what is entailed in maintaining the liberties and freedoms we enjoy here in this country, and to be thankful for this great country in which we live. Today was also a reminder to me of how grateful I am to live in this country and be a part of preparing our youth to uphold the principles of freedom so they will teach others to do the same as they leave their "high school bubble" and go make their mark in the world.
I love freedom week at LPHS. It's important for our youth to understand what is entailed in maintaining the liberties and freedoms we enjoy here in this country, and to be thankful for this great country in which we live. Today was also a reminder to me of how grateful I am to live in this country and be a part of preparing our youth to uphold the principles of freedom so they will teach others to do the same as they leave their "high school bubble" and go make their mark in the world.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Look-alike Meter
MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph
This is crazy! My sister-in-law found this site and did it with her family...and then my brother got creative and started inserting animal pictures to see which animal he looked like more..I don't think it worked. Anyway, I've always been told I look more like my dad, but according to this, I look a tiny bit more like my mom! If you want to try....click on the meter!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
SOCCER!!!
I still LOVE soccer! For those of you who haven't seen me in awhile, I have not stopped playing...this year will mark my 26th year of playing soccer....I started when I was 4!
Currently I am playing on two indoor teams and they are so fun! My women's team is AMAZING. We are LOADED with awesome players (many played for BYU, and I know one played for Idaho State) and I love playing with them. I really don't do anything, they make me look so dang good that I need to make them look better than they already are! I have way too much fun standing in goal watching them work together..it's beautiful soccer to watch...you'd just have to see it to understand. And they aren't cocky about it either, which makes the experience even better! My second team is a co-ed team! The whole experience is just a total blast. Most of my team is related, and it's fun to see a family do something they love together and I get to be a part of that! Co-ed is a bit more challenging for me because of the speed of play...I'm just not fast enough to keep up with some of the shots from the guys. We just added a new player to our team who is also a goalkeeper...yeah...um....he basically makes me look like the fat kid the coach throws in goal because they can't do anything else! He's pretty dang good and I am excited to see what I can learn from him. It's been a really positive experience and I am so blessed to still love what I do best and to still be playing at my age! Ha ha! I'm only 29, but still...
Thanks to everyone who supported me, trained me, played with me and against me(since I get better after every game I play!)...all of you have made me into the player and coach that I am today! I can't take any credit for the success in my soccer career. I also realize that my family helped soccer be a top priority in my life so I could have a successful career and I will be forever grateful for the sacrifices they made to make my dreams come true! They are a great example of what I need to do to help my friends and loved ones do what they love to do and achieve the goals they have set for themselves. THANK YOU to all of you!
There's a story behind these beautiful white cleats...it rained the night before my very first soccer game. I had these bright, sparkly new white cleats and I was so proud of them. When I stepped on to the field, they got dirty and I started to cry. My mom came over and said, "Marla! Why are you crying?!" I replied, "because my cleats are dirty!" My mother in her wisdom responded by saying, "they are suppose to get dirty!" I sniffled, "they are?" My mother, "yes!" I straightened up and said, "Oh, o.k.!" And off I went. I guess over time the dirt stopped bothering me because being a goalkeeper, its sometimes really hard to stay clean!
Who would've known that I would play in college and still be playing today! The pics below are a few from college. I have no recent pictures of me playing. My dad was the one who always took pictures of me while playing soccer, so since he isn't around, these old pics will have to do...unless they have cameras in heaven and my dad is snapping some shots he can give me at a later time!
Currently I am playing on two indoor teams and they are so fun! My women's team is AMAZING. We are LOADED with awesome players (many played for BYU, and I know one played for Idaho State) and I love playing with them. I really don't do anything, they make me look so dang good that I need to make them look better than they already are! I have way too much fun standing in goal watching them work together..it's beautiful soccer to watch...you'd just have to see it to understand. And they aren't cocky about it either, which makes the experience even better! My second team is a co-ed team! The whole experience is just a total blast. Most of my team is related, and it's fun to see a family do something they love together and I get to be a part of that! Co-ed is a bit more challenging for me because of the speed of play...I'm just not fast enough to keep up with some of the shots from the guys. We just added a new player to our team who is also a goalkeeper...yeah...um....he basically makes me look like the fat kid the coach throws in goal because they can't do anything else! He's pretty dang good and I am excited to see what I can learn from him. It's been a really positive experience and I am so blessed to still love what I do best and to still be playing at my age! Ha ha! I'm only 29, but still...
Thanks to everyone who supported me, trained me, played with me and against me(since I get better after every game I play!)...all of you have made me into the player and coach that I am today! I can't take any credit for the success in my soccer career. I also realize that my family helped soccer be a top priority in my life so I could have a successful career and I will be forever grateful for the sacrifices they made to make my dreams come true! They are a great example of what I need to do to help my friends and loved ones do what they love to do and achieve the goals they have set for themselves. THANK YOU to all of you!
There's a story behind these beautiful white cleats...it rained the night before my very first soccer game. I had these bright, sparkly new white cleats and I was so proud of them. When I stepped on to the field, they got dirty and I started to cry. My mom came over and said, "Marla! Why are you crying?!" I replied, "because my cleats are dirty!" My mother in her wisdom responded by saying, "they are suppose to get dirty!" I sniffled, "they are?" My mother, "yes!" I straightened up and said, "Oh, o.k.!" And off I went. I guess over time the dirt stopped bothering me because being a goalkeeper, its sometimes really hard to stay clean!
Who would've known that I would play in college and still be playing today! The pics below are a few from college. I have no recent pictures of me playing. My dad was the one who always took pictures of me while playing soccer, so since he isn't around, these old pics will have to do...unless they have cameras in heaven and my dad is snapping some shots he can give me at a later time!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Tagged!
Tricia got me! I've never been officially "tagged" before, so here we go!
I've been tagged by Tricia Taylor, so here it is:
Rules: Answer each question about yourself, then tag 5 people by posting their names and leaving them a comment on their blog.
10 Years Ago: Oh my gosh, 10 years ago, I was almost 20 years old! I was attending Cal State Fullerton on a soccer scholarship and living it up socially, spiritually, academically and soccerly....is that a word?
Things On My To Do List Tomorrow: I really posted this on a Friday, so since "tomorrow" is Saturday.....SLEEP IN--FINALLY!...grade children's stories, play in my soccer game!, go to Katie's wedding reception, do some laundry for crying out loud!!!
Snacks I enjoy: skittles, food, hot tamales, food, mint brownies, food, trail mix (the kind with peanuts, raisins and M&Ms), food, peanut butter choco.chip granola bars, food, sugar babies, food, goldfish, did I happen to mention food? I'll snack on just about anything, but I do have some regulars!
What would I do if I were suddenly made a billionaire? Pay off my credit card and loans! Oh yeeeaaahhh! Put a ton in savings, give to a few charities, build my own home, go on an African Safari, go back to Israel and dig, travel around the U.S....especially to historical sites.
3 Of My Bad Habits: What bad habits? Ha ha! Kidding...um....where do I start?
1. Well, the longest I've kept my bedroom completely spotless is 3 weeks....the last three weeks! 2. If I have too much to do, I tend to spend time doing something I don't need to do. 3. Sometimes I interupt people before they are finished with their sentence....not because I don't care, because I have something to say and I'm too impatient to wait...I'm working on that one!
5 places I have lived: Glendale, CA; Fullerton, CA; Newport Beach, CA; Lake Forest, CA; Provo, UT (where I met the wonderful person who tagged me!); Alpine, UT
Jobs that I have had: usher at Glendale Center Theater, Hot Dog on a Stick, parking attendant at Dodger Stadium, Soccer coach, tutor, EFY counselor, jr. college transfer counselor...teacher?
Things most people don’t know about me: Since I answered this on a previous post, I'll add to it....I am allergic to Salmon and too chicken to find out what seafood I'm not allergic to; I played football in high school; I get really nervous in groups or meeting people for the first time(though most people don't even notice), the only time I feel REALLY self conscious is when I play soccer, and the only grudge I've ever held is against BYU...I'm still trying to get over it, but it ticks me off that I could've been done with my Masters this April.
I tag: Elizabeth, Linzy, Misty, Janel, the Johnsons!
I've been tagged by Tricia Taylor, so here it is:
Rules: Answer each question about yourself, then tag 5 people by posting their names and leaving them a comment on their blog.
10 Years Ago: Oh my gosh, 10 years ago, I was almost 20 years old! I was attending Cal State Fullerton on a soccer scholarship and living it up socially, spiritually, academically and soccerly....is that a word?
Things On My To Do List Tomorrow: I really posted this on a Friday, so since "tomorrow" is Saturday.....SLEEP IN--FINALLY!...grade children's stories, play in my soccer game!, go to Katie's wedding reception, do some laundry for crying out loud!!!
Snacks I enjoy: skittles, food, hot tamales, food, mint brownies, food, trail mix (the kind with peanuts, raisins and M&Ms), food, peanut butter choco.chip granola bars, food, sugar babies, food, goldfish, did I happen to mention food? I'll snack on just about anything, but I do have some regulars!
What would I do if I were suddenly made a billionaire? Pay off my credit card and loans! Oh yeeeaaahhh! Put a ton in savings, give to a few charities, build my own home, go on an African Safari, go back to Israel and dig, travel around the U.S....especially to historical sites.
3 Of My Bad Habits: What bad habits? Ha ha! Kidding...um....where do I start?
1. Well, the longest I've kept my bedroom completely spotless is 3 weeks....the last three weeks! 2. If I have too much to do, I tend to spend time doing something I don't need to do. 3. Sometimes I interupt people before they are finished with their sentence....not because I don't care, because I have something to say and I'm too impatient to wait...I'm working on that one!
5 places I have lived: Glendale, CA; Fullerton, CA; Newport Beach, CA; Lake Forest, CA; Provo, UT (where I met the wonderful person who tagged me!); Alpine, UT
Jobs that I have had: usher at Glendale Center Theater, Hot Dog on a Stick, parking attendant at Dodger Stadium, Soccer coach, tutor, EFY counselor, jr. college transfer counselor...teacher?
Things most people don’t know about me: Since I answered this on a previous post, I'll add to it....I am allergic to Salmon and too chicken to find out what seafood I'm not allergic to; I played football in high school; I get really nervous in groups or meeting people for the first time(though most people don't even notice), the only time I feel REALLY self conscious is when I play soccer, and the only grudge I've ever held is against BYU...I'm still trying to get over it, but it ticks me off that I could've been done with my Masters this April.
I tag: Elizabeth, Linzy, Misty, Janel, the Johnsons!
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
How Many WHAT?!
17
Today, one of my students showed me this quiz and to humor him I took it (I really didn't have a choice, he stood at my desk and showed me how to get to the website and then wouldn't leave until I took the quiz!) He he he...I'm so happy I could fight 17 five year olds at the same time, because I have 12 eight year olds I teach on Sundays. So now, if they get out of control, I know I can take 'em! Wanna try? The link is below!
How Many Five Year Olds Can You Take in a Fight?
Today, one of my students showed me this quiz and to humor him I took it (I really didn't have a choice, he stood at my desk and showed me how to get to the website and then wouldn't leave until I took the quiz!) He he he...I'm so happy I could fight 17 five year olds at the same time, because I have 12 eight year olds I teach on Sundays. So now, if they get out of control, I know I can take 'em! Wanna try? The link is below!
How Many Five Year Olds Can You Take in a Fight?
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Top Ten Reasons to live in the same town where you teach:
10. Students offer to bring their late work right to your doorstep!
9. The commute to work is just a hop, skip and a jump
8. You wake up Saturday morning to see one of your students walking across your front yard…oh that’s right, he mows your lawn for your landlord!
7. You can throw snowballs at your students’ houses from your bedroom window and balcony and they never think its you! (I’ve never done that, but I could if I ever felt the urge)
6. You have to travel at least 30 minutes north to be in a place where no one will know anything about you.
5. You get to practice your "James Bond" moves and hide behind baskets and bolt down the aisles of the grocery store to avoid being seen buying personal necessities.
4. When it has snowed 8-12 inches with no plows on the roads and you know your car won’t make it up the hill to your house, it’s easy to find a ride home…as long as you have written parent permission via email.
3. Your neighbor is in your class at school, her sister is in your primary class, and their mother is your visiting teacher.
2. You have to tell your bishop that a bishop’s interview can not turn into a Parent/Teacher conference (that really is a joke I have with my bishop because his son is in my class!)
1. “Hi Miss Nelson, would you like paper or plastic?”
9. The commute to work is just a hop, skip and a jump
8. You wake up Saturday morning to see one of your students walking across your front yard…oh that’s right, he mows your lawn for your landlord!
7. You can throw snowballs at your students’ houses from your bedroom window and balcony and they never think its you! (I’ve never done that, but I could if I ever felt the urge)
6. You have to travel at least 30 minutes north to be in a place where no one will know anything about you.
5. You get to practice your "James Bond" moves and hide behind baskets and bolt down the aisles of the grocery store to avoid being seen buying personal necessities.
4. When it has snowed 8-12 inches with no plows on the roads and you know your car won’t make it up the hill to your house, it’s easy to find a ride home…as long as you have written parent permission via email.
3. Your neighbor is in your class at school, her sister is in your primary class, and their mother is your visiting teacher.
2. You have to tell your bishop that a bishop’s interview can not turn into a Parent/Teacher conference (that really is a joke I have with my bishop because his son is in my class!)
1. “Hi Miss Nelson, would you like paper or plastic?”
More Snow!
Alright, so I know these snow posts are probably getting old, but I am loving this! I have never seen so much snow in my entire life! I need to go sledding and make a snowman! Any takers? Ha ha! I can't seem to find anyone willing to be cold for awhile so I can do that....I think I will have to teach myself how to make a snowman, and recruit my primary kids to take me sledding! Here are the latest snow pictures...this past week it snowed 5 out of the 7 days. Monday was a complete white-out. The buses after school were not running because the wind and visibility were so bad, and the plows were so busy clearing up I-15, our roads were completely snowpacked. Some of the kids who drove to school chose not to drive home until everything calmed down a little. It was nuts. I had a group of kids in my room watching a movie until their bus left. With the roads not plowed, I was worried my car wouldn't make it up the hill and someone told me that the lady who lives across the street got stuck on our hill in her SUV and sat there for 30 minutes until someone drove by, turned around and pulled her out...yeah, my little camry would be in big trouble if a SUV can't even make it. So my bishop and his wife sent me an email giving me permission to drive home with their son (who has 4WD in his Forerunner) because of the extreme weather conditions (hence, the #4 reason to live where you teach!). But, I ended up driving myself home because the weather cleared and the plows came out. Last night 9" dumped on us, so after church, I took Brinkley (my landlord's dog) for a walk and snapped a few so you could see our winter wonderland! I felt a little dumb at first until I saw about four other people taking pictures too! Enjoy!
P.S. Dear Mom--thank you for my Uggs! They are wonderful and keep my feet warm when I go trampling in the snow!
P.S. Dear Mom--thank you for my Uggs! They are wonderful and keep my feet warm when I go trampling in the snow!
